Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Delegates Handbook
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Table of Contents
2. Schedule
6. Sample Resolution
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Schedule
2. Dress Code:
Men are expected to wear either a suit, or a jacket, button down shirt and dress pants. A
necktie is preferable, as are dress shoes. Sandals, jeans and other such patently informal
articles of clothing are not allowed.
Women must wear skirts or slacks with a formal shirt or blouse. Blazers /Jackets are not a
compulsion but preferable Miniskirts are not permitted and blouses and sweaters must be
appropriate for the occasion.
3. During the session the delegates are expected to exercise diplomatic courtesy when
addressing members of the committee and the dais.
4. The delegates are expected to address the other delegates in third person.
6. No tobacco, cigarettes, alcohol and any other such items will be allowed inside the
college premises.
7. IITBMUN and IIT Bombay will not be responsible for any expensive items or belongings
of the delegates
8. A Speaker may not be interrupted by another Delegate unless the Delegate has risen to a
Point of Personal Privilege or Point of Order.
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At a Model UN conference, there is formal debate as well as informal debate, called caucusing.
Formal Debate: During formal debate, the staff maintains a speakers’ list and delegates speak in
the order they are listed. If the entire topic area is being discussed it is called a general speakers’
list, however if the delegates are discussing only specific aspects of the topic area, it is called a
special speakers’ list. When a special speakers’ list is opened, the general speakers’ list is
suspended. On closing the special speakers’ list, committee reverts back to the general speakers’
list.
At this time, delegates have an opportunity to share their views with the entire committee.
Delegates make speeches, answer questions, and introduce and debate resolutions and
amendments. Formal debate is important to the committee’s work.
If a delegate has time after he/she has delivered a speech, the delegate may yield the remaining
time to another delegate, the chair or to questions. If the delegate has utilized his/her entire
speaking time, two thirty second comments on the speech are in order.
By not knowing the rules of procedure, delegates slow down the debate and hold back their
committee’s progress.
Caucusing
Moderated Caucus: During a caucus, which is a temporary recess, the rules of procedure are
suspended. To go to a moderated caucus, a delegate makes a motion to suspend debate and the
committee votes. Caucusing helps to facilitate discussion, especially when there is a long
speakers list. A moderated caucus is a mixture of both formal and informal debate. Anyone may
speak if they raise their placard and are called on by the Chair. When a committee holds a
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moderated caucus, the Chair calls on delegates one at a time and each speaker briefly addresses
the committee.
Many delegates prefer to speak during a moderated caucus rather than being placed on the
speaker’s list. In a moderated caucus, speakers are usually able to convey one or two key points
to the entire committee or share new ideas that have developed through the course of debate. A
delegate sometimes chooses to make a motion for a moderated caucus if his or her name is close
to the end of the speakers list. By speaking in a moderated caucus, delegates are able to address
the committee much earlier.
Unmoderated Caucus: In an unmoderated caucus, delegates meet informally with one another
and the committee staff to discuss and negotiate draft resolutions, amendments and other issues.
During an unmoderated caucus, the committee breaks for a temporary recess from formal
proceedings so that delegates can work together in small groups.
In most cases, more than half of committee time is used for unmoderated caucusing. Many
delegates feel this is the easiest way for them to collaborate and start to formulate draft
resolutions.
2. Point of Order
A Delegate may rise to a Point of Order if a rule of procedure is not properly observed by a
Delegate or by a member of the Dais, or if there has been a factual error in the course of a
delegate’s speech. The Chair will rule on the validity of the point. A Delegate rising to a Point of
Order may not comment on the topic of discussion. A Point of Order ruled dilatory by the Chair
may not be appealed. This point may interrupt a Speaker. There can be no Point of Order raised
on another preceding Point of Order or even immediately following a Point of Order( even
though it may be with regards to another point).
4. Right of Reply
A Delegate who feels that his/her country or person has been insulted by another Delegate may
rise to a Right of Reply. Disagreement with the content of a Delegate's speech is not grounds for
a Right of Reply. The Chair will recognize the Right of Reply at his/her discretion. Should the
Chair rule the Right of Reply out of order, his/her decision cannot be appealed. The Chair may
also request that the Delegate submit his/her Right of Reply in writing for further consideration
before granting it. The Chair might choose to set a time limit for a Right of Reply. No delegate
may call for a Right of Reply on a Right of Reply.
A motion to set the speakers time sets or changes the amount Simple majority
of time each delegate has to speak. vote
Majority
Unless otherwise specified, no motions are debatable and all require a simply majority vote to
pass.
1. Simple majority
A procedural or substantive matter requiring a simple majority to pass implies that fifty percent
plus one vote (50% + 1) of the committee (or more) must vote in favour of the matter to pass. If
the vote is a tie, the matter will be considered to have failed.
Public speaking is one of the most important skills you will use as a Model UN delegate. You
will need to convey your member state’s positions, help build consensus and formulate
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resolutions. Usually, the length of time a delegate is allowed to speak is set by the conference
organizers. Delegates can make a motion to increase or decrease the time allotted to each
speaker. If another delegate seconds the motion, then the committee will vote on changing the
speaking time.
You will have numerous opportunities to speak in your committee. The Chair will maintain a list
of delegates who would like to make formal speeches. During caucusing you will have an
opportunity to speak informally to delegates in your committee, but it is still important to keep
the principles of effective public speaking in mind.
Although speaking is an important part of any Model UN simulation, many delegates fear
speaking in front of a large group. The best way to cope with these fears is to be well-prepared.
You should research as much as possible about your country and the issue the committee will be
debating. You should be comfortable explaining your country's position and have ideas on what
you would like to include in the committee’s resolution. If you come to the conference well
prepared, you will be eager to speak in committee.
Bear in mind that the most important difference between a MUN and any other public speaking
event is the formality involved in the MUN. If you are good with your procedure, you can most
definitely make a much better impact in committee.
Also, a MUN requires you to know the stand of your country vis-à-vis the problem at hand.
Being well researched will always make you formidable in committee. Remember, in a MUN,
you represent a country, and not your personal viewpoints, though many a time you do have the
flexibility to take decisions of your own accord.
Working Paper
A working paper is simply a statement, which shows the direction in which the committee is
moving. It is not binding on any country and it is not voted upon by the committee. However it is
usually incorporated into the draft resolution. A working paper needs at least two signatories and
an author before it is submitted to the chairperson for approval.
Resolutions
The discussion usually ends with a resolution, i.e., a written suggestion for addressing a specific
problem or issue. Resolutions, which are drafted by delegates and voted on by the committee,
normally require a simple majority to pass (except in the Security Council). Only Security
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Council resolutions can compel nations to take action. All other UN bodies use resolutions to
make recommendations or suggestions for future action.
Draft Resolutions
Draft resolutions are all resolutions that have not yet been voted on. Delegates write draft
resolutions alone or with other countries. There are three main parts to a draft resolution: the
heading, the preamble and the operative section. The heading shows the committee and topic
along with the resolution number. It also lists the draft resolution’s sponsors and signatories.
Each draft resolution is one long sentence with sections separated by commas and semicolons.
The subject of the sentence is the body making the statement (e.g. the General Assembly,
Economic and Social Council, or Security Council). The preamble and operative sections then
describe the current situation and actions that the committee will take.
A draft resolution must always gain the support of a certain number of member states in the
committee before the sponsors (the delegates who created the resolution) may submit it to the
committee staff. Five signatories are required in order to submit a draft resolution. A staff
member will read the draft resolution to ensure that it is relevant and in proper format. Only
when a staff member formally accepts the document and assigns it a number can it be referred to
in formal debate. A delegate must make a motion to in order to introduce the draft resolution.
Preambulatory Clauses
The preamble of a draft resolution states the reasons for which the committee is discussing a
particular topic and highlights past international action on the issue. Each clause begins with a
present participle (called a preambulatory phrase) and ends with a comma. Preambulatory
clauses can include:
Operative clauses identify the actions or recommendations made in a resolution. Each operative
clause begins with a verb (called an operative phrase) and ends with a semicolon. Operative
clauses should be organized in a logical progression, with each containing a single idea or
proposal, and are always numbered. If a clause requires further explanation, bulleted lists set off
by letters or roman numerals can also be used. After the last operative clause, the resolution ends
in a period
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Sponsors of a draft resolution are the principal authors of the document and agree with its
substance. Although it is possible to have only one sponsor, this rarely occurs at the UN, since
countries must work together in order for the draft resolution to pass. Sponsors control a draft
resolution and only the sponsors can approve immediate changes.
Signatories are countries that may or may not agree with the substance of the draft resolution but
still wish to see it debated so that they can propose amendments.
Amendments
Approved draft resolutions are modified through amendments. An amendment is a written
statement that adds, deletes or revises an operative clause in a draft resolution. The amendment
process is used to strengthen consensus on a resolution by allowing delegates to change certain
sections. There are two types of amendments:
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A friendly amendment is a change to the draft resolution that all sponsors agree with. After the
amendment is signed by all of the draft resolution’s sponsors and approved by the committee
director or president, it will be automatically incorporated into the resolution.
An unfriendly amendment is a change that some or all of the draft resolution’s sponsors do not
support and must be voted upon by the committee. The author(s) of the amendment will need to
obtain a required number of signatories in order to introduce it. Prior to voting on the draft
resolution, the committee votes on all unfriendly amendments.
Ultimately, resolutions passed by a committee represent a great deal of debate and compromise.
They are the tangible results of hours if not days of Model UN debate. As a result, it is important
to become familiar with the resolution process and practice drafting resolutions using the proper
structure and wording.
Voting Procedure:
Votes will be taken in committee in two manners: -
• Open Vote:
This is voting by a show of placards, used mostly for motions or procedural issues. If a sufficient
number of member countries declare themselves in favour of a proposed motion, it will be
carried forward.
Precedence of Motions
1. Parliamentary points
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4. Substantive motions:
a. Amendment
b. Resolutions
Bolivia, Peru, and Ecuador believe that a GSP should be set up so that less developed
countries (LDC's) receive preferential treatment from the developed countries
(DC's).To that end we propose:
1. Each DC reduces their tariffs to the lowest level possible. Subcommittee created
below will determine this level.
4. Decisions on product coverage are made in consultation with the affected LDC.
Annual re-evaluation of coverage shall take place with disputes going to the
subcommittee created below.
7. Voting rights will have to be worked out, but the UN format for subcommittees
seems best. Of course, we are amenable to change.
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Sample Resolution
Draft Resolution “ alpha”
Committee: The HRC
Authors : USA, UK
Recalling the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which provides that everyone has the
right to a standard of living adequate for her/his health and well-being, including food,
Recalling also the provisions of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural
Rights in which the fundamental right of every person to be free from hunger is recognized,
Recalling further the Universal Declaration on the Eradication of Hunger and Malnutrition as
well as the United Nations Millennium Declaration,
Bearing in mind the Rome Declaration on World Food Security and the Plan of Action of the
World Food Summit, held in Rome from 13 to 17 November 1996, and bearing in mind also the
Declaration of the World Food Summit: five years later - International Alliance against Hunger,
held in Rome from 10 to 13 June 2002,
Reaffirming that all human rights are universal, indivisible and interdependent and
interrelated,
Recalling all its previous resolutions in this regard, in particular resolution 2004/19
of 16 April 2004,
Recognizing that the problem of hunger and food insecurity has global dimensions and that
they are likely to persist and even to increase dramatically in some regions unless urgent,
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determined and concerted action is taken, given the anticipated increase in the world’s
population and the strain on natural resources,
Reaffirming that a peaceful, stable and enabling political, social and economic environment,
both at a national and an international level, is the essential foundation which will enable States
to give adequate priority to food security and poverty eradication,
Reiterating, as did the Rome Declaration as well as the Declaration of the World Food
Summit: five years later, that food should not be used as an instrument of political or economic
pressure, and reaffirming in this regard the importance of international cooperation and
solidarity, as well as the necessity of refraining from unilateral measures not in accordance with
international law and the Charter of the United Nations which endanger food security,
Convinced that each State must adopt a strategy consistent with its resources and capacities
to achieve its individual goals in implementing the recommendations contained in the Rome
Declaration and Plan of Action of the World Summit and, at the same time, cooperate regionally
and internationally in order to organize collective solutions to global issues of food security in a
world of increasingly interlinked institutions, societies and economies, where coordinated efforts
and shared responsibilities are essential,
Expressing its deep concern at the number and scale of natural disasters, diseases and
agricultural pests and their increasing impact in recent years, which have resulted in a massive
loss of life and livelihood and threatened agricultural production and food security, in particular
in developing countries,
Welcoming the solidarity and humanity expressed by the international community towards
the victims and the Governments of the States that suffered huge losses of life and socio-
economic and environmental damage as a result of the unprecedented tsunami disaster that
struck the Indian Ocean and South-East Asian region on 26 December 2004,
1. Reaffirms that hunger constitutes an outrage and a violation of human dignity and,
therefore, requires the adoption of urgent measures at the national, regional and international
levels for its elimination;
2. Also reaffirms the right of everyone to have access to safe and nutritious food, consistent
with the right to adequate food and the fundamental right of everyone to be free from hunger so
as to be able fully to develop and maintain their physical and mental capacities;
3. Considers it intolerable that there are around 852 million undernourished people in the
world, that every five seconds a child under the age of five dies, directly or indirectly, of hunger
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or hunger-related disease somewhere in the world and that one person loses his/her eyesight
every four minutes as a result of a lack of vitamin A when, according to the Food and
Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the planet could produce enough food to
provide 2,100 kilocalories per person per day to 12 billion people, twice the world’s present
population;
4. Expresses its concern that women are disproportionately affected by hunger, food
insecurity and poverty, in part as a result of gender inequality, that in many countries girls are
twice as likely as boys to die from malnutrition and preventable childhood diseases and that it is
estimated that almost twice as many women as men suffer from malnutrition and, in that sense,
encourages the Special Rapporteur to continue mainstreaming a gender perspective in the
fulfilment of his mandate;
5. Stresses the need to make efforts to mobilize and optimize the allocation and utilization of
technical and financial resources from all sources, including external debt relief for developing
countries, to reinforce national actions to implement sustainable food security policies;
6. Recognizes that the promises made at the World Food Summit in 1996 to halve the number
of undernourished persons are not being fulfilled and that, on the contrary, global hunger
increased yet again this year, and invites once again all international financial and developmental
institutions, as well as the relevant United Nations agencies and funds, to give priority and
provide necessary funding to help realize the aim to halve by the year 2015 the proportion of
people who suffer from hunger, as well as to realize the right to food;
7. Encourages all States to take steps with a view to achieving progressively the full
realization of the right to food, including steps to promote the conditions for everyone to be free
from hunger and as soon as possible enjoy fully the right to food, as well as to elaborate and
adopt national plans to combat hunger;
8. Requests all States and private actors, as well as international organizations within their
respective mandates, to take fully into account the need to promote the effective realization of
the right to food for all, including in the ongoing negotiations in different fields;
9. Takes note of the report of the Special Rapporteur on the right to food (E/CN.4/2005/47
and Add.1 and 2) and also takes note of his valuable work in the promotion of the right to food in
all parts of the world;
10. Calls upon all Governments to cooperate with and assist the Special Rapporteur in his
task, to supply all necessary information requested by him and to give serious consideration to
responding favourably to the Special Rapporteur’s requests to visit their countries, so as to
enable him to fulfil his mandate even more effectively;
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11. Requests the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to provide
all necessary human and financial resources for the effective fulfilment of the mandate of the
Special Rapporteur;
12. Welcomes the work already done by the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural
Rights in promoting the right to adequate food, in particular its general comment No. 12 (1999)
on the right to adequate food (article 11 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and
Cultural Rights), in which the Committee affirmed, inter alia, that the right to adequate food is
indivisibly linked to the inherent dignity of the human person and is indispensable for the
fulfilment of other human rights enshrined in the International Bill of Human Rights and is also
inseparable from social justice, requiring the adoption of appropriate economic, environmental
and social policies, at both the national and international levels, oriented to the eradication of
poverty and the fulfilment of all human rights for all;
13. Recalls general comment No. 15 (2002) on the right to water (articles 11 and 12 of the
Covenant) adopted by the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, in which the
Committee notes, inter alia, the importance of ensuring sustainable water resources for human
consumption and agriculture in the realization of the right to adequate food;
14. Welcomes the meeting of world leaders for action against hunger and poverty, convened
by the Presidents of Brazil, Chile and France and the Prime Minister of Spain, with the support
of the Secretary-General, and the resulting New York Declaration on Action against Hunger and
Poverty, which has been supported by more that one hundred countries to date, and recommends
the continuation of efforts aimed at identifying additional sources of financing for the fight
against hunger and poverty;
15. Also welcomes the adoption by the Council of the Food and Agricultural Organization of
the United Nations of the Voluntary Guidelines to Support the Progressive Realization of the
Right to Adequate Food in the Context of National Food Security, which marks an important
step in the progress towards the promotion, protection and implementation of human rights for
all;
16. Requests the Special Rapporteur to submit an interim report to the General Assembly at
its sixtieth session and to report to the Commission at its sixty-second session on the
implementation of the present resolution;
17. Invites Governments, relevant United Nations agencies, funds and programmes, treaty
bodies, civil society actors, including non-governmental organizations, as well as the private
sector, to cooperate fully with the Special Rapporteur in the fulfilment of his mandate, inter alia
through the submission of comments and suggestions on ways and means of realizing the right to
food;
18. Decides to continue its consideration of this matter at its sixty-second session, under the
same agenda item.